, 1887-11-03
The History of the Remains Of
A. 7. Stewart.
Stolen From the Tomb in st.
Marks.
They are RansOmed for the Sum
of $4,000.

goods dealer, Alexander Il. Stewart,
forms the subject of Il chapter in Su-
perintendent Walling's book, which is
soon to be published. The ex-superin.
tendent processes to give the only true
story of the stealing of the body, and
also alleges that the body was subse-
Quently returned to u representative OF
Judge Hilton. The remains were bur-
led in St. Marks church yard, on the
corner of Second avenue and Tenth
street, in an underground vault, the
entrance to which was covered by u
hagstone, which in time was sodded
over level with the surrounding sur
face, so that there was no outward evil
dence OF its location. After the theft
of the body the first clue came from
Gen. Patrick ii. James, ex-postmaster
of New York, who notified Walling
that an exsolder who had served un-
der him claimed to know something
about Stewards body, and with proper
encouragement would give informa-
ton leading to its recovery. The SUI
perintendent submitted the offer to
Judge Hilton, who declared that he
would never pay one cent for Stewards
bones unless they were accompanied
by the thieves in irons. Gen. James II
few days later gave the police II package
expressed to him from Boston, con-
tanning q coffin plate which was identi-
fled by the engraver who had done the
work. To complete their identitica-
ton the robbers sent piece of paper
that fitted exactly into the hole in the
velvet cover of the coffin cut out by the
thieves when the body was removed.
Judge Hilton remained inexorable and
the case was dropped by the authori.
ties.
In January, 1882, General Jones
called ut headquarters; he brought
with him parcel which contained
the silver knobs and several of the
handles belonging to the coffin in which
the body had been buried he also
showed some letters which he had re-
ceived. They purported to have been
written in Canada, and were signed
by "Henry q. Romaine." One letter,
which contained the piece of paper,
promised that il further proof Was re-
quircd to send the coffin plate upon
insertions of certain personals in the
New York Herald.
This WAS done, and under date of
Bottom, January 81, 1879, letter
came saying that the plate was sent
from there to avoid the scrutiny Of
custom officials on the Canadian bor-
der. The plate was received and iden-
titled. General Jones was instructed,
in case relatives were ready to pego.
tiate for the remains, TO insert this per-
sonal in the Herald: Canada will
do business. Counsel" This was
done at Judge Hilton's request. The
reply which came from Boston on the
llth OF February, set forth the terms
upon which the body would he re.
stored. They were AS follows:
/. The amount to be paid shall be
100000.
2. The body will be delivered to
yourself and Judge Hilton, within
twenty five miles of the city Of Mon
treal, and other persons shall be pres
ent.
3. The money to be placed in your
hands, under your control, u.,til Judge
Hilton is fully satisfied, when you will
deliver to my representative.
4. Both parties to maintain forever
unbroken silence in regard to the
transaction.
Judge Hilton refused to agree to the
terms proposed, and further declined
to negotiate through the medium
of "persOnals." Roumaine soon or
dered Mr.. Jones to break off al. com
munication with Judge Hilton, and
open negotiations with Mrs. Stewart.
No notice was taken OF the request,
hut in March Judge Hilton made an
offer OF 1875 900 for the body. General
Jones made the fact known to Ro.
x.,lf~ f,,ll l. IL
c)ined. This closed the correspond
ence. The robbers. becoming discOur-
>aged, now offered to sell the body for
100000. Mrs. Stewart was willing,
Ind ordered her representatives to pay
that amount. They delayed matters
until the figure was reduced to $780,
GOO, which WAS accepted. The condi'
tiOns Of delivery were severe. A mes
senger with the money was to leave
New York city at 10 p. M. alone in
sne.hUrse wagon, and drive into West
chester county, along II lonely
road. which was indicated on a
map sent by the thieves. Some
time before morning, if the man
was acting in good faith, and was not
accompanied or followed by detectives,
he would be met and given further
directions. A young relative of Mrs.
Stewards undertook the hazardous
task and was met by tho thieves, after
the money was delivered and certain
iormalities carried eut, the body was
delivered to him the next night. The
body was conveyed to the cathedral
n where an empty coffin had already
been deposited, and at the dead 'oi
night two men transferred the
bones to it from the trunk. They
then placed the coffin in an inackSs
sible vault, beneath tho dome. IfHy